Gary Johnson, manager of Torquay United ahead of the FA Trophy match between Boreham Wood and Torquay United at Meadow Park Stadium, Borehamwood, Hertfordshire on the 15th December 2018. [Photo: James Fearn/PPAUK].

Manager Gary Johnson says he can't wait to get back 'pitchside' as Torquay United, still top of the National League South despite a 3-2 defeat at Bath City, try to bounce back against Oxford City at Plainmoor on Saturday (3pm).

Johnson completed a two-match touchline ban as the Gulls' record runs of 16 unbeaten league games and ten successive wins ended at Twerton Park.

"I've had a one-game ban before, but two games was a killer, especially when it was as big a game as Bath," said Johnson.

"I really am looking forward to getting back on the touchline.

"I've got a good staff here, and I knew they could handle anything that was thrown at them - I was only on the phone two or three times last Saturday.

"I just get very frustrated sitting up there, and more so when the opposition supporters know you there and they go a goal up."

Johnson has not spared his players from criticism and hard work this week.

"It has given me an opportunity to get into a few of the lads individually and collectively," he said.

"Bath was a big game - I classed it as a cup final because we could have put paid to their challenge and possibly left ourselves with only one other, but some didn't handle that.

"I did learn a little bit about them, they learned a bit about me and about themselves.

"I showed what it takes to win any division - we were a bit short in terms of playing like champions, and I've got to be very aware of the ones who didn't perform on the day and were, if you like, 'nearly men'.

"We are still on a terrific run really.

Torquay United supporters celebrate taking the lead during the Vanarama National League South match between Bath City FC and Torquay United at Twerton Park, Bath on Saturday 19th January - PHOTO: Micah Crook/PPAUK

"We don't really want to go the play-off route if we can help it, so we have to recover, make sure that we are the fittest we can be physically and mentally and that we see the dangers in any team we play.

"I don't think there's any pushovers in this league - we are not Manchester City playing four levels lower - and Oxford City have their dangers."

Johnson reported an all-fit squad to face one of only four teams to have beaten Torquay in the league this season.

Rob Sinclair's first-half goal, which United claimed was offside, was good enough to earn the 'Hoops' a 1-0 win at Marsh Lane in August, but former Bristol Rovers midfielder Sinclair has moved on since.

So has promising centre-back Udoka Godwin-Malife, who has just been sold to Forest Green Rovers for an undisclosed fee, leaving ex-United favourite Joe Oastler very much the cornerstone of the Oxford defence.

In attack ex-MK Dons and Aldershot Town striker Kabby Tshimanga is a danger - he has scored 12 goals so far this season.